Bell's Space

Commitment

2010-10-07T15:00:00.000-05:00

So I think I have a problem with commitment. Really, commitment to anything: exercise, reading the Bible, keeping my room clean... the list could go on and on. So it has to be about discipline, right? I'm not disciplined enough? But I'm pretty committed to other things, like keeping up with my favorite TV show, or eating 3 meals a day. Maybe it's not so much about discipline as it is about priorities. What are my priorities? If I think I can't live without something - wouldn't I place that thing pretty high on my list of priorities and then by default be pretty committed to it? And probably be pretty disciplined in keeping up with it.

I think this can be applied to relationships as well. And since I do not have a husband I am going to stick with this line of thinking in comparison to our relationship with God. I know that God is my creator, my provider, my sustainer... right? If I truly believed that God was everything I need or ever could need, why do I not have the discipline to read His word, or to talk to Him in prayer for any length of time?

I sometimes think, when Lord are you going to do this, or why haven't you answered this request, or fulfilled this desire? But have I made God a priority in my life?
He loves us so much. Why don't we make Him a priority in our lives as He did in His life by giving His own Son to die that we may live?

"Lord, help me to get my priorities strait!"

2010-01-08T14:24:00.008-06:00

Wow - happy New Year! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. I guess I've been to busy/distracted to post lately. Which is guess is an ok thing. You know - life is good - God is faithful - it's a new year and I'm not sure if I mentioned this but I have 2 new people in my life!

My brother and his wife had their second child over thanksgiving: Elora
Elora Aislyn Story 7 lbs12 oz born November 25th.
So she is about 7 weeks old now. She is so cute and cuddly!
Her big sister Sadie is growing so much as well. And I love her to death - even if she does always call me Aunt Stephi (my sister's name!!!).

Then mid December my sister had her baby! A bit early, but both baby and momma are doing very well! A boy (yes I said - a boy - even though I thought it would be a girl! Oh well!) - David Dean Dumer 6lbs 11oz. born on December 17th. He is so tiny and yet he is like a baby dinosaur - he's long and strong! :) And at 3 weeks - he just keeps getting cuter!
He is quite the little man and he has definatly been a welcome addition to Wii Wednesdays! :) He will probably grow up to beat his daddy as well as uncle Joe and aunt Tate! Though I think I am not his favorite person yet... Grandma Mary is! (next to his rents... of course :) )
Oh well - give me a year or two! :)

2009-12-10T15:15:00.001-06:00

For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.

This is written by a Chaplain in Iraq :

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq , 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again and the Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. But again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1,000 Soldiers standing at attention to do?? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

But No!!... You could have heard a pin drop, while every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq and I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you. Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins
LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad

Uncommon...

2009-08-19T10:04:00.003-05:00

imeem.com

Uncommon - Greg Long & Kristy Starling

So this is my theme song right now. I listen to it everyday - and I am continually blessed. Here are the words:

What if there's something bigger for me out there
Than the comfort of a life on this middle ground
I've played it safe but now I can't help but wonder
If maybe I've been missing out

'Cause I look around and see a sea of people
Everybody's moving in the same direction
And I think it's time for me to break away, break away

Chorus
I want to finally take the road less traveled
I want to run away from anything typical
I want the world to see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon

What if the right thing was harder than the wrong thing
But I did it anyway
Standing strong even when no one else was watching
What if I really lived that way

Every heart has its defining moment
This is mine and I'm not gonna miss it

I want to finally take the road less traveled
I want to run away from anything typical
I want the world to see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon

I don't care if it makes me look different
I'm never letting go of my conviction
Let the world see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon

I'm done with the easy way out I
'm done with the easy way out
Done with the easy way out
With the easy way out

What if I made it to the end of my days here
Only to find that my legacy was nowhere to be found
I don't want to waste another second
Give me the strength to start right now
Right now, right now, right now, right now, right now, right now

I take the road less traveled
I want to run away from anything typical
I want the world to see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon

I don't care if it makes me look different
I'm never letting go of my conviction
Let the world see the life I'm living
And call it uncommon Uncommon
Call it uncommon... I'm done with the easy way out

What a great outlook... more later! :)

Wow...

2009-07-27T13:59:00.003-05:00

I really like not doing things the traditional way... but is this taking it a bit too far? :)

Introductions

2009-06-25T12:36:00.003-05:00

I would like to introduce you all to my new niece - well maybe it's a nephew...! My sister had her first ultrasound yesterday and we got to see the pictures, here is my favorite:

So I think that it's going to be a girl, it doesn't matter, but I still think its true! So if I refer to it as a her - it's just because I hate saying "it"! Lets pray for mommy and baby to have a good FULL term!

My Utmost - Who rules?

2009-06-23T11:35:00.005-05:00

June 23, 2009
"Acquainted With Grief"
He is . . . a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief —Isaiah 53:3

We are not "acquainted with grief" in the same way our Lord was acquainted with it. We endure it and live through it, but we do not become intimate with it. At the beginning of our lives we do not bring ourselves to the point of dealing with the reality of sin. We look at life through the eyes of reason and say that if a person will control his instincts, and educate himself, he can produce a life that will slowly evolve into the life of God. But as we continue on through life, we find the presence of something which we have not yet taken into account, namely, sin— and it upsets all of our thinking and our plans. Sin has made the foundation of our thinking unpredictable, uncontrollable, and irrational.

We have to recognize that sin is a fact of life, not just a shortcoming. Sin is blatant mutiny against God, and either sin or God must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue— if sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed. There is nothing more fundamental than that. The culmination of sin was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and what was true in the history of God on earth will also be true in your history and in mine— that is, sin will kill the life of God in us. We must mentally bring ourselves to terms with this fact of sin. It is the only explanation why Jesus Christ came to earth, and it is the explanation of the grief and sorrow of life.

So - I'm convicted. After reading this morning's My Utmost for His Highest, Mr. Chambers has brought something to my attention that I know - but haven't thought of in a while. First - I think it's important that we see sin for what it is, "blatant mutiny against God." I have always thought of sin as anything that separates us from God. But I think it's even more than that - when we sin - we are choosing to let that rebellion against God to rule in our lives. When I choose to sin - I am choosing my master, choosing to allow God to die in me. Is that what I want? Is that what we should want? Are the temporal things we struggle with worth killing Christ within us?

You know - when I was younger there was an issue that I struggled with - telling lying. The first time was really hard, but you know every time I told another lie - it got easier! It was because I was allowing sin to rule within me, allowing God's life in me to die. Until I realized that it was a part of me, which scared me. I thought - I have to work harder now at telling the truth than lying. It had taken hold and I was this sin's servant. God forbid!

But there is hope! Mr. Chambers goes on to say "if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed" - Praise the Lord. God gives us the key - by the Blood of Jesus Christ - we can choose God. Choose to serve God with each decision, and every time we do - we kill sin in our lives a little more. I think that, the death of sin in our lives, in itself is worth making those "true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report" choices! And how amazing it will be when the very nature of God is our nature. Every choice - without a thought - will be for life! Are we choosing life today? Are we choosing to kill sin within our will? Our mind? Our emotions? Our desires? What are we doing with the choice we have?

Lord I pray that you would help me choose you, choose to kill sin within me. Let every part of me be choose your life. Show me the places that I still allow sin to rule within me. Show me how I choose to be in blatant mutiny with you! That is not my desire, God, I desire you to be the only Lord in my life, that I would worship you with everything I do. That sin would not have hold of me and that the work, Jesus, you did on the cross would be perfected within my soul. Let me be so in tune with you that your nature is my nature. Let me see the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy things, and not only think on them - but choose them. Let me choose life over death with everything I do!
~ Amen

2009-05-18T14:35:00.001-05:00

Probably my all time favorite skits!

Creation vs. Evolution - Hope

2009-05-18T14:32:00.001-05:00

Creation vs. Evolution - Random

2009-05-18T14:30:00.000-05:00

Creation vs. Evolution - Faith

2009-05-18T14:15:00.001-05:00

Youtube playlist!

2009-05-12T10:34:00.001-05:00

Validation

2009-04-13T14:02:00.000-05:00

awesome! Thanks Susie!

A Commentary on Twitter

2009-04-02T14:24:00.002-05:00

Even if you don't know what Twitter is - you will still enjoy this!

Disclaimer: May obtain objectionable material... :) sorry...
Disclaimer 2: I twitter on occasion... and am fine with it! ;)

New game...

2009-03-01T21:13:00.009-06:00

Last weekend we had friends in town and we played a new game (new to my family!) which is now my new favorite: Dominoes!

We had an amazing time with everyone, it's one of my favorite things - you know? To have time to spend with dear friends - great fellowship, marvelous food (thanks to the G. Family! :) ), fun games, and lots of laughing! God has blessed me so much with great friends and family.

Then on friday, I got home from work and there was a package on my porch. I thought - what could it be??? The return address said NE - so I knew it had to be from some of my friends that visited the weekend before. I was right!!! I opened the package to see my very own Dominoes game!

So this afternoon, when my uncle came over, we played Dominoes - even Grammy played! I was going to try and not mention who won... but lets just say Mr. T got second place! :) No worries - you will probably win next time...

So I must say - a GIANT THANK YOU to Miss Alice and fam, you all have blessed me in so many ways through the years and we LOVED having youall around for a bit! And thanks for my wonderful new game! May God bless you and yours!

And thank You, God - for all the wonderful people you have placed in my life!

The Delight of Sacrifice

2009-02-24T21:06:00.003-06:00

So the question that's been rolling around in my head since church on Sunday - if I am not satisfied with my relationship with God - why am I not asking for more? If I have a friend that I want to get to know better - I call them, make time for them, make myself available, my agenda isn't important - only their's. But do I do that with God? Then I was reading My Utmost for His Highest today and this is the scripture for the day:

I will very gladly spend and be spent for you. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

I think God is amazing - I don't think I say that enough. Just as I'm struggling with wanting a better/deeper relationship with God and wanting to serve Him more faithfully, Mr. Chambers hits the nail on the head. He talked about Paul pouring himself out for his Beloved. That his only goal was to do the bidding of Christ. Can I say that scripture with the same assurance? "Paul said that he knew how to be a "doormat" without resenting it" (My Utmost). How often do we lay down our own comforts for what God asks us to do? Our only legacy not pointing to ourselves but rather the One who saved us. Mr. Chambers went on to say that Paul's goal wasn't freedom - which is so often the cry - but rather devotion to Jesus. What an amazing testimony!

"Lord let my action match my words - I want you, only you, and I don't know if I'm their yet - but I want my desire to be "spent for you", that I would serve you with delight, with a singleness of focus, and let that focus not waver!"

Reader? :)

2009-01-24T18:54:00.001-06:00

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

3 guides for resolutions

2009-01-04T22:48:00.002-06:00

I read on LifeWay the following 3 things that we should be using as our guide for making resolutions:

"For the body, assume you have had a heart attack; now live accordingly."
"For the heart, assume everything you say about another, they can overhear; now speak accordingly."
"For the spirit, assume you have a one-on-one visit with your Creator every quarter; now live accordingly."
As a believer, we don't have to wait three months to visit with God. we can, and should meet with Him constantly. However, the thought of scheduling a regular "performance review" with the Lord could and should have an impact on my daily decisions and thus my life.

Kind of interesting - eh?

The author of that artical also said: Once a person reaches the point that he or she sees no value in seeking to become better by resolving to change, that person has given up on living life and has settled on simply existing. This, if you think about it, is in and of itself a resolution –- a resolution to settle for mediocrity.

Let's not settle for mediocrity - but always strive to change and to become more like Christ. Which also reminds me of this Oswald Chamber's 12/2 entry - thanks Kate for pointing it out to me - and it was from my birthday! ;)
"Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows itself to be true even amid the seemingly unimportant aspects of human life... I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God’s purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants!

This is the opposite of mediocrity - and it's what we are called to. So lets make our resolutions - consistant with what we are called to - and lets stand by them! No small task but we are able - in our weekness He is strong.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-04T22:04:00.003-06:00

I know it's dangerous... thinking that is.

New Year's resolutions... everyone does them - how many keep them? The research I've read say about half of us keep them past the 2 month point. Kinda interesting - but probably not surprising. So I made a few - just like always, one of them is that I've started trying to take a picture of everything I eat... could be entertaining - probably will be very dull to most... The other has to do with my relationship with God, I am going to read from God's Word every day. In the past I do well with this for a bit - but in the end - it usually slips away, don't get me wrong, I read it - when I have time... or when something comes to me... or at church... or when I know I'm going to talk to someone that will require me to have some scriptural backing... you know what I mean. But one thing that I struggle with is having a routine - getting in the habit of doing things - mostly doing things that are good for me. Going to be on time, getting up in time to actually have a morning routine and not just getting up and rushing to work, eating right - naturally as well as spiritually - and lets face it - it takes more time to do that, you have to plan and actually work to eat right, you can't forget and "just grab something somewhere..." and you can't just sit on the couch and watch whatever is on. You have to prepare food ahead and you have to put effort into reading instead of watching TV. My friend Joie does much better at this than I do, but she is a good example for me.

So here is one of the things that I'm working on to keep myself on task, I've started reading Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest and actually reading the scripture and praying and thinking about what it's talking about, not just reading it every once in a while when I'm bored... That's the hope for my morning routine.

Snow...

2008-12-19T16:11:00.003-06:00

So as I mentioned before - I love snow. Yesterday I took this picture on campus (it's of our new football field)

And this morning I woke up to this (and yes - it was shoveled by my shoveling angel!!):

Here is the street - down and then up...

Do you see the little path up the sidewalk? (that's the shoveling angel up at the top of the hill!)

And this is what my house looks like now:

Isn't it beautiful??? Snow is amazing, and it always reminds me of this song:

White as snow, white as snow
Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord, I know, Lord, I know
That I'm clean and forgiven

Through the power of Your blood
Through the wonder of Your love
Through faith in You
I know that I can be
White as snow

God is so good - so faithful - always taking what is ugly and making it new - clean - white! I'm so thankful for all that God does in my life, He is constantly helping me, refining me, taking what I screw up and healing, changing, covering - with this white, beautiful, new thing!

I guess I haven't been bloggin lately because I've been busy - but that's the normal excuss. I've been kind of lame (as in sore leg.. ;) not dorky - though I am that kind of lame all the time! ) and busy with company and work. Also - for those that have been reading awhile I have a new prayer request, I got a call that I have been moved up on the list for adoption. So I'm very excited about that and blessed that it's is starting to move again...

Gotta run!

another year older

2008-12-18T16:40:00.002-06:00

ok - so I haven't blogged in about a month - and this is going to be short - but I thought I would just let everyone know that I'm coming to terms with becoming 30... it has taken a bit - but I'm ok with it now. I also wanted to give a great big shout out to my friends Ceta and Trits from the south that came to make my b-day extra special - God has truly blessed me with wonderful, faithful friends - from all over!

I also want to say - I love winter. I love snow, I love knitting, I love warm soft blankets, I love shoveling, I love pictures in the snow, I love driving in it... The list could go on and on. I will add photo's later.

New side playlist

2008-11-17T16:38:00.003-06:00

Hey all - I just found a nice new thing to add to my page! On the right hand side of my blog - you will see something called "my playlist", check it out - let me know what you think!

Great sadness.

2008-11-04T23:04:00.004-06:00

It is with great sadness that I watch the election results tonight. I thought Obama would win, but I never thought it would be by this much. And I'm also very disappointed in Iowa... WHAT WHERE YOU THINKING??? I pray that God will have mercy on us. I pray that God would bring peace to those that fought hard and lost, it was not God's will that we win this one. I guess that just means that the time is getting shorter, as in the day's of Noah...
All I know is that I'm looking for a new bumper sticker: "I voted McCain - so don't come cryin to me!" May God save the children and not give us, as a nation, what we deserve for this election decision.

"A new dawn of American leadership is at hand... the true genius of America is that we can change..." ~ President Elect Obama
Lets see where he leads this nation.

Palin Rally

2008-11-04T15:19:00.005-06:00

I went to the Sarah Palin rally yesterday. It was amazing to see someone in her position with so much passion for the issues that are important to me.

I took a few pictures,

me and Tate almost got trampled,

I touched greatness,

and I have some of the coolest "family" ever!

It was quite an experience. I voted for life and I am still praying for those that will fight for life and stand up for those values that are so close to God's heart to have victory today!

Fireproof - for single people?

2008-10-15T09:49:00.002-05:00

(Becca asked me if I would write something on how Fireproof impacted me - as a single person... This is what I came up with - for better or worse!)

SPOILER DISCLAIMER - THERE MAY BE THINGS IN THIS POST THAT WILL GIVE A WAY VITAL PARTS OF THE MOVIE - DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!

Fireproof, a story about love. I was truly moved by the movie, it is yet another example of love being a choice - not a feeling. Of course the film is about a married couple, but it is even more about the relationship we have with the Lord. Are we choosing to love Him, even when we don't feel like it? When we can't see His face, or feel His presence, or when we just don't know if He is even speaking to us. We much choose love. We must choose life, everyday making choices to let God know that we love Him. It's a slightly strange concept to me, but God made us so that He would have a companion, so why wouldn't we need to continually show our devotion to Him.

In the movie, Caleb made a decision to do what His father requested - which was to go through this book called "The Love Dare". His heart wasn't in it to begin with, but he was willing to do it for his dad. Somewhere along the way something changed in His heart - and he choose to follow the instructions in order to make his wife know that he loved her. He had to put away the idols in his own life so that nothing would come between them. In the process, Caleb realized that his relationship with God was the same way, that he was turning away from God continually, and that the reason he couldn't love his wife the way she needed to be loved was because he didn't know what true love was. True love isn't a feeling, it is sacrificing yourself, it is putting that person before your own needs.

Truthfully, when Becca asked me to write a bit about my perspective about the movie - you know writing how a movie about marriage could be pertinent to a single person, I thought - well of course it will give me a view of how I should love in the future with my husband. But now I know - the true meaning of the movie was about loving God, truly loving God, putting His will before my own. God has loved us fully - and gave His life for us, to be a Christian is to be like Christ, to do that we need to love Him, truly love Him. The tag line for the movie is "Never leave your partner behind." He doesn't ever leave us behind - can we say the same?

my desires

2008-10-14T18:43:00.004-05:00

Sometimes - even when I feel that my desires are starting to become more about God's will, it turns out that maybe I'm not as close to His will as I hoped...
Let me explain, I thought that God opened a door for me to go to my favorite place on earth this year, I could get off from work - there was going to be a way on the other end for me to work through the time I was way, and I had the funds... So God was opening the door - right?
Well then I get a stipulation - you have to travel with someone else.... but no one else is going when it would help me!!! - So this is the point where if my desire is really for God's will - I would just lay it down and not worry about it. But I'm really sad that I can't go... so I'm working on really just surrendering my desires to God's infinantly more wise will.
Well - God knows more than me even when I think I'm pretty smart... ;)

this obviously isn't a photo of me - but rather one of my very best friends - Drew... but I thought it was appropriate!

Office War

2008-09-09T16:26:00.000-05:00

Saw this on Becca's blog and thought it was to funny to pass up...

The Great Office War from Runawaybox on Vimeo.

fascinating - probably not...

2008-09-03T14:51:00.004-05:00

Can you successfully blow up and tie a balloon?
Yep

What was your last purchase?
batteries

Does anyone like you?

yes - Jesus - and my friends...

Have you made anyone laugh while they were crying lately?
well... I try all the time... Tate's been doing it to me all the time lately!

Are you easily amused?
depends on my mood - most of the time I am.

Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?
depends on the temp in the room...

Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?
dumb question

What did you do Saturday?
what a blur...the day before the wedding... went out and decorated the fair grounds ball room, set up a sound system, tried to each bbq, caught my sister when she fainted, got my nails done, sang poorly, practiced walking down a VERY long aisle, freaked out, ate pizza, gave a great message, got one (thanks Joie!), put my baby sis to bed for the last time, cried, slept.

Do you trust all of your friends?
if I call them friends - than I trust them, if not - they don't make the cut.

Morning or night person?
I agree with Becca - neither - I'm only truly awake from about 11 - 2 :)

Are you taller than 5'5''?
yep

Would you rather have love or money?
both would be nice - but of course love is tops...

Do you have a best friend that knows you inside and out?
probably a few... some that I wish didn't know me quite as well!

Last person you watched movies with?
probably Grammy

Do you hide your emotions?
as much as possible.

Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?
always in the morning!

If you could either float on the moon, or snorkel in the ocean, which?
neither - my camera wouldn't work in either situation. How about an alaskan cruse?

Do you think you'll be married in 5 years?
I will leave that question up to God...

Third text in your inbox? from who?
Baby sis before she left for the Dells

Have you been to New York City?

yes, I think 3 times

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Mike

Do you need to say anything to anyone?
I'm usually pretty honest - sometimes a bit too honest...

What were you doing at 7am?
hiting the snooze for about the 20th time!

What do you think of your number 3 on your top friends?
I second Lydia: Who numbers their friends??? That's cruel!

Can you legally drink?
yes.

When is the last time you saw your mom?
this mornin!

Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
flip flops

Have you ever been in an ambulance?
no

Do you hold grudges?
hmm - i would love to say no - but to be honest - I do struggle with forgiveness - but I continually remind myself of how much God has forgiven.

Do you sing obnoxiously in the car?
yes - as much as possibly and pretty much anywhere I can!!

When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
Last night. - I'm missin my baby sis...

Are you watching TV?
not now - I'm workin - can't you tell?

2008-08-01T12:51:00.004-05:00

Glory- Nichole Nordeman/Selah

One day eyes that are blind will see you clearly
And one day all who deny will finally believe
One day hearts made of stone will break in pieces
And one day chains once unbroken will fall down at your feet
So we wait for that one day come quickly

We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We’ll sing Glory to Your name

One day voices that lie will all be silent
One day all that’s divided will be whole again
One day death will retreat and wave it’s white flag
One day love will defeat the strongest enemy
So we wait for that one day come quickly

We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We’ll sing Glory to Your name

We know not the day or the hour
Or the moments in between
But we know the end of the story
When we’ll see

We want to see your Glory
Every knee falls down before thee
Every tongue offers you praise
With every hand raised
Singing Glory
To you and unto you only
We’ll sing Glory to Your name

The Big Read

2008-07-14T14:46:00.002-05:00

from Becca
The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed.
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them ;-)
WATCHING MOVIES DOES NOT COUNT!!!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 The Road - Cormac McCarthy
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Becca said "They should have an option like 'highlight blue all the books you've never heard of'. So I added blue to mine..

I've read 32... a far cry from respectable... but there are so many that are not on here that I think should be... maybe I'll start my own list of books that everyone should read!

2008-07-09T10:53:00.001-05:00

Your Vocabulary Score: A-

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!

You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

The only problem - what is erudite?? :)

2008-07-08T14:35:00.002-05:00

now they are just crazy...

You Are Extremely Charming

When someone talks to you, they feel like they are the most interesting person in the world.
And for you in that moment, they actually are.
You truly care about the people you're around, and it's obvious to everyone who meets you.
You are open, warm, friendly, and welcoming. You epitomize charm.

Are You Charming?

2008-07-08T14:32:00.002-05:00

Oh this one is good too!!!

What Your Front Door Says

You are bold, brave, and easily excited.
You are passionate about what you believe.
And you're never afraid to tell people exactly what you think.
You're picky and particular. It's sometimes hard to meet your standards.

The Front Door Test

Me picky?? NEVER! ;)

2008-07-08T14:19:00.002-05:00

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic.
You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat.
Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

LOL - that was just too funny!

Bones quotes!

2008-06-30T10:52:00.003-05:00

I just love this show!!!
Bones is a TV show that I'm hooked on currently. This is what IMDB says about it
"Brilliant, but socially inept, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperence Brennan works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington DC. After consulting for him on a FBI case, she is approached by cocky yet charming ex-Army Ranger turned Special Agent, Seeley Booth to help the Bureau solve crimes by identifying human remains that are too far gone for standard FBI forensic investigations. Brennan's empirical, literal view of the world causes friction with Booths emotive, instinctive attitude creating a volatile relationship. However as their case load increases the symbiotic partnership produces results and with the support of Brennan's Squint Squad, murderers, past and present should be on the look out."

So here are a few of my favorite quotes:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Booth: So, is it him?
Brennan: It's him, but here's the kickster.
Booth: Kicker, Bones, here's the kicker.
Temperance: Oh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Temperance: Why would a gang leader cooperate?
Booth: I'm gonna ask him really, really nicely, Bones.
Temperance: You know that book I'm reading about getting along with your co-workers? It says that sarcasm is never helpful. I can lend it to you if you want.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Booth: next time you miss me, pick up the phone, we'll do lunch, or something!
Temperance: I do not missed you (hahaha!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Booth: Reason for wanting a gun?
Temperance: To shoot people
Booth: Not a good response
Temperance: It’s the truth!
Booth: You know, I’m writing self defense in the performance of my duties pursuing suspected felons as contracted out to the FBI...
Temperance: ..so I can shoot them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Temperance: I don't know what that means.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
Temperance: I find very few people scary once they have been poked in the eye.

Love

2008-06-24T17:32:00.001-05:00

One more Wordle and then I will get back to work!

Wordle - brilliant!

2008-06-24T17:03:00.006-05:00

I ran accross a totally cool free (yes I said FREE) internet app to create... well in their own words: "Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends." So I tried my hand at one trying to describe myself - still working on it. But it's kind of fun. (I'm working on one for my sis and future brother in law - but don't tell her - she never reads blogs anyway!!!)
Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think! www.wordle.net

It's been awhile

2008-06-12T15:18:00.001-05:00

Thanks Shannon for the reference to this quiz - it was fun.. and kind of funny as far as results go! I guess it did get me right saying that I'm opinionated and can be judgmental... God's still workin on me!

Take the Quiz here!

D300

2008-03-06T14:38:00.006-06:00

As promised, here are some pictures of my new camera:

The lens is amazing, it's a Nikon 18 - 200 VR lens - the wide angles on it are so beautiful. I will keep you posted!

some of my yarn

2008-03-06T14:25:00.001-06:00

some of my yarn
Originally uploaded by Nicky Story

Ok, so this is probably my favorite picture so far. But I will keep you posted! As you may have noticed I have a bit of yarn... I like to knit - but even more I like to collect gorgeous soft colorful skeins! I can't knit like some but I can hold my own with scarves and hats! I've tried a blanket - but lost interest pretty quick...

my room - and the first picture with my new camera!

2008-03-06T14:23:00.001-06:00

my room - and the first picture with my new camera!
Originally uploaded by Nicky Story

So here is the first picture with my new camera. Click on it and you can see the first couple photos. Nothin to earth shattering - but I'm pretty much in love with this new camera. I will post a picture of it in a bit!

Asleep in the Light

2008-03-06T10:56:00.002-06:00

There is a song that has been on my heart for a few days now - and I was looking for it online and found it on YouTube.com... It's a classic Keith Green song, but like alot of his stuff - it is so apropos to today and so many of us struggle with the issues he talks about in his songs... Enjoy!

Above Rubies

2008-02-25T20:52:00.004-06:00

I have found quite the website!!! www.aboverubies.org
My friend Cheryl told me about it after we started talking about adoption. She said that it was a really good resource in general, but also specific to adoption. There is also a lot of good/encouraging homeschool information. Practical and from an excellent perspective.

On a different note, I had a wonderful time with my friends yesterday. We ate, laughed, sang, played, and talked. It was amazing - and I hope to do it many more times!

I also had a great day at work today - because I got to hang with my friend all day!

Happy Monday! (and yes - I'm even happy for more snow!!!)

Thank you

2008-02-22T09:07:00.000-06:00

Watch More Videos Uploaded by www.bebo.com/YUNGCUE

Watchmaker

2008-02-21T14:35:00.003-06:00

I ran across a great little film called "The Watchmaker". It is part of a bigger children's website that has some great films as well as resources for children.
I liked some of the resources because it gave me a few idea's for the website I'm working on for KIT for Kids. I think it's great to have a good list of safe, biblically sound, and entertaining websites for children.

Happy Thursday!

First Steps

2008-02-19T21:37:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I'm thinking this will be a great place to keep the progress (or lack thereof!) for what I’m going to call my missio Dei (Mission of God). How do we know what God wants us to do? How does God speak in our lives? How do we know if what we hear is God’s voice or our own will? What is the mission of God in our life?

These are some of the big questions that most of us struggle with, well at least those that WANT to hear God’s will…

So here is a short story… When I turned 15, I felt a call of God on my life, to minister in some way to children – and not just any children – but children in need. So I made a promise to God and myself, that if when I turned 30 I was not married, I would adopt children. Well I’m a bit older now, and just in the past 2 years did I remember this promise to God and myself, but I didn’t think much of it till last month, when I realized that I was now 29… oh my – that’s pretty close to 30! And guess what? I still haven’t found the ONE God has to be my mate.

So here is the part where I am hoping to hear the voice of God clearly, what would God have me do? Am I to pursue adoption – as a single parent? Am I to go to Africa and try to do some good there? What about the orphanage that Sister Beiry runs? What is God’s mission in my life? What does it look like? Am I prepared for whatever it is?

At this point – I do not feel to leave this place where I’m planted, that may come, but for now I have a mission field right here is Iowa. God has blessed me with a home and a family, some that live with me and some just over the hill, and I know that this is where I’m supposed to be right now, but what about the call for ministering to children? At this point I have begun to look at options for adoption.

After having a short discussion with one of my friends about hearing the voice of God – or knowing His will for my life, I have come to realize that I really operate in certain way when it comes to figuring out God’s will in my life. I start with prayer, and that prayer consists of – Lord, Your will – not mine! Then I ask for His guidance – Lord, open the doors you want opened and close those I’m not supposed to go through. I really feel that by really only wanting His will, it is kinda His responsibility to show me that will. Also knowing that adoption is something that is very close to God's heart is a good place to start, God is very specific about the fact that His people are supposed to be taking care of the widows and orphans! So I go through doors that look open – and keep praying for His will. So that is the process that I’m in the middle of right now. Adoption? Which doors will open? What would God have me do – even to begin?

But what does a girl like me know about the wide world of adoption. And remember – at all times, I only want God’s will. So I did an internet search on adoption in Iowa, and I was a bit more specific – Christian Adoption Agencies in Iowa. One that I checked into was called Bethany. Mom and I went to an informational meeting and gathered quite a bit of information, but the big thing I learned was that they do not do domestic (adoption of children within the US vs. international – adoption of children outside of the US) adoption with single parents, only international. So for right now, I feel to try a different venue – I’m currently gathering information for state adoption. Pray – and let me know if you hear anything! And I will keep you posted. J

Big Deal

2008-02-18T14:54:00.002-06:00

So I have been struggling with wanting to upgrade my computer and camera this year. It seems to be constantly on my mind. My computer is almost 8 years old and my camera isn't far behind. My struggle on the computer end has been wanting a MAC - but not being able to justify the added cost... And the problem with upgrading my camera was similar - I couldn't justify the cost of a new camera even though it would work more consistently as well as work better under certain situations. But last week while we were dealing with my father being in the hospital, I dropped my camera on the ground and it broke the lens. It is completely useless!!! So, long story short - insurance is going to help me pay for a new lens. I will be ordering my new D300 camera within the next few days - the drop did quite a bit of damage to that as well... As for the computer it will have to wait a bit yet - but I think things are looking up for it! ;)

On another note - I ran across a new book that I want to read "Scratch Beginnings" by Adam Shepard. It looks very interesting and compelling, I looked up Big Brothers Big Sisters as soon as I finished watching the interview.

I thinks the reason it looked interesting to me is because I'm actually praying about adopting a child (or 2!). I really feel like it's something the Lord is calling me to. It's a bit scary, in that I am single and already taking care of my Grandma. But I really feel that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. So I just keep praying for his will.

I went to a Christian Private Adoption Agency last week and found out that they do not do domestic adoptions to single parents. So we will see where the Lord leads from here!

Hospital stays are happy and sad

2008-02-14T19:57:00.005-06:00

So in the past couple weeks, I've seen quite a enough of hospitals. Though, it wasn't all for trying reasons! The frist 2 times where for births - which are always fun. My cousin and his wife had their first baby, and we were all their to support them! It was amazing!

But after all that excitement was over (at least for me!) my dad got an infection in his foot - so back up to the hospital we went. This time we had a better view from the room, but after a week and a 1/2 of all of us being in that room with him - we are very happy to see him come home - fully intact! Here are a few pictures from his room!

BSB - 2 Students!

2006-06-06T11:12:00.000-05:00

But I must say that my 2 favorite clips on the net are the "Numa Numa" one and the "BSB I want it that way" clips. The Numa Numa video is pretty well known, but I think the BSB clip is just as good. Whenever I need a good laugh I just turn on one of those two video's. I haven't found a good way to embed the Numa Numa clip so here is the link to it: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/numa.php
But we can enjoy the BSB clip right here. And now for your viewing pleasure:

Judson Laippy

2006-06-06T11:05:00.000-05:00

My friend Katie shared a video with me this morning that I thought was hallarious! Judson Laippy is a comedian that comes to school here every year. He always does something he calls the evolution of dance at the end of his act. Rachel would love it!

orange lily

2006-05-30T19:34:00.001-05:00

orange lily
Originally uploaded by gin_able.

This is one of those pictures that I wish I had taken! Mike turned me on to this guy's Flikr site. I was truly inspired with what I saw. What brilliant color and focus, I wonder what lense they used... I was just talking to Mike and he mentioned that some companies rent out lenses. I am going to have to look into that, I would love to take photo's that look like this one! Anyone have any resources for that?

My Joe in Boston!

2006-05-28T00:48:00.000-05:00

My Joe in Boston!
Originally uploaded by nmstory.

My trip to Boston was so much fun. I was so blessed that I was able to go with my family. My mom, dad and sister and my aunt and uncle and 3 of their kids (we missed you Rachel!).
This is a picture of Joe in front of the World Trade Center in Boston. It was were my aunt registered for the 2006 Boston Marathon!

Dubuque Church

2006-05-28T00:21:00.000-05:00

Dubuque Church
Originally uploaded by nmstory.

What a great night for taking pictures of church steeples! Mike and I got some great pictures that night. If only I had a tripod with me!

The sky was georgeous, the color was great, it was one of the first nice nights of the year. April was such a great month.

Moving woes and joys

2006-05-26T08:18:00.000-05:00

The only good thing about moving is that you really see that people care. I really didn't know how I was going to get everything moved into my new house by myself. But it quickly became apparent that I didn't have to!
that's really what I love about God, I love that even when I don't have faith in Him to work a situation out, He is still there. His love is not contingent on my response. It is unconditional and doesn't change. I do not need to fear being left out or not on His list!
I am just struggling through how to offer that same love to those around me. If in fact I want to be a conduit for the love of God, then I need to be less conditional in my affection. That is a tall order for me. But I really think that it's possible.
I am going to miss my apartment. I have so many wonderful memories in it. My memories with my roommates go with me, but it's not the same. The time that Corrie & Brian, Jen and I spent together in that apartment are priceless to me. I praise God for giving me such wonderful kindred spirits in the midst of some very tough times! I praise God for my mom and dad always being so helpful to lend anything that was needed (and hopefully still lend helping hands for the house!). I praise God for my sister for all the love she gives continually to me. (see this is why I don't blog often! I'm crying so hard I can't even see anymore!). I praise God for Lissa for being a great pretend roommate! I praise God for Mike, there have been so many things that he has taught me over the years. This move is closing a chapter in my life. I am very sad and yet extremely excited. Doesn't that sound strange?! God has blessed me with so many people in my life that are continually there for me - no matter what! They love me and support me. And I pray that I can live up to all of that!
Blessings to you all and goodbye to my little apartment!
Nicky

struggle

2005-10-25T11:32:00.001-05:00

My friend’s mom passed away suddenly last night. It was announced in chapel today. We had just started praying for her on Sunday, she had been diagnosed with cancer a short time ago.

This has hit me pretty hard. I have struggled with anyone losing a parent for as long as I can remember. My father has struggled with his health since before I was born. And I have always feared losing him, my mom, my sister or my brother more than any other fear that I have… This is one of the hardest things that I think anyone can go through. My parents are my foundation – aside from God – and to think of them not being there, tares me apart. I pray for my friend and his family right now.

God please touch this family, give them strength and courage to go on and not give up. Let them know that you are God, you are still there, you are still loving, you are still in control.

There is no way to know why some things happen, but knowing that God can see so much farther and deeper than we can always comforts me.

Stale Water?

2005-10-25T00:10:00.000-05:00

I’m pretty tired tonight, but I just wanted to write some things down…

Sunday night I went with Lissa to a Campus Ministry meeting. My friend Kate was talking that night and she said quite a few things that I thought were appropriate for some things I’ve been struggling with for awhile now.

The first question that sticks out to me is “why do we choose the less than what we could have?” The context of the question is actually kind of a picture: there is nasty dirty water sitting in a cistern, that is stale and just plain gross, on the other side of the scene was a beautiful waterfall rushing from the side of the mountain, cool and refreshing.

When we chose to do the things that are like that cistern, not good for us and not even remotely beneficial, we are settling for something so much less than what God has for us.

For some, this “settling” may be a job or lifestyle, or it may be something small like, what we choose to do with our time. I can think of many different things that this could be for me. Sometimes I think that some things I choose to do is in fact settling for something so much less than what God would have me doing. Do the things I spend time on actually benefit me? Or do I just do them because it’s more comfortable for me in the short term?

Why do I settle? I think sometimes it is because I don’t think I deserve more… Or it could be that I am just lazy. Or could it be that some of the things that I settle for are the things that I really want, but aren’t actually what I should want? I must say, the more I feel like I grow in God, the more I feel like Paul… the things I should do, I don’t; the things I don’t do, I should. The things I should want, I don’t; but what I know is not good for me – I want.

Oh God, please help my desires to be better placed. Let me not want things that aren’t good for me. Let me choose your living water to drink from, and not the stale water that I usually choose!

Answers?

2005-10-18T14:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes one of the hardest things for me is to not have an answer. I just finished with my Introduction to Christian Doctrine midterm and I was thinking about the fact that I thought I did ok on it. I knew all the concepts, I knew the definitions, I knew what the correct answer was for most of the questions. (no I don’t think I got an A! I’m a Solid B student!) But I was thinking about the fact that there are so many things I don’t know the answer to. My friends, Drew and Tim, and I had a conversation yesterday about a topic that was a bit difficult for us. I don’t know the correct answer to the questions we were asking of each other, I only know how I feel and what I feel God has shown me through the Bible on it… But my knowledge seems so limited at times.

I guess that is where faith comes in. I think it may be one of the hardest things for me, to trust and have faith, believe that God knows the answers and that maybe I don’t need to know them all right now. I like to have answers – I like to help people – I like to be the one people come to… but if I don’t know the answers, if I am the one needing help, I feel very inadequate. That’s one reason why I don’t like to admit when I’m sick – or if I need help with anything, it makes me feel like I’m not good enough. Well I will have to come back to that thought later, gotta get back to work!

Music

2005-09-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Today I am just really impressed with how much music affects my moods. I was extremely tired and just not feeling very perky until I turned on my music. My newest favorite song is called Indescribable. It came on this morning at about 8:30 - what a way to wake up, and no I was already out of bed and at work for at least 35 min. but you know what I mean...

Lyrics to Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

What a powerful thought that the God that placed the stars in the sky knows my name. It also brings a lot of things into perspective. In the grand scheme of things, how important is where you go to lunch? Is it really worth losing peace over?

Enough for now!

Welcome

2005-09-26T16:40:00.000-05:00

It is a scary and yet exciting thing to start a new blog... Scary in that the words you say here cannot be taken back, and exciting because you can write anything!
Working with computers all day is what I do, and yet I rarely write anything except directions for people to follow. Writing just to talk isn't something I ever do, I don't even write emails just to talk, there is always a reason, a purpose, some need that will be fulfilled with the dictation.
Today, I am just going to talk about random things that probably arn't very important to anyone except me. The first thought is my constant struggle with weight. For some reason, some people are more apt to struggle with this issue than others. I have friends that can eat whatever they want and never have an issue with it. But it doesn't matter if I eat extreemly healthy food and work out all the time, it is still a struggle. I have tried to give it to God, to just say, alright I've done what I can - please take it from here. But it still hangs on... constantly in the back of my mind, almost making me feel like a failure all the time. Maybe if I worked harder, got up earlier, eat less... maybe then I wouldn't stuggle so much, maybe then I would meet someone that would love me and want me. Ah... thats for another day!
Thats all for now. and, no - I can't believe I said all this...